Main Limitations of FCE4 & Differences with FCP

What are the main limitations of FCE4 and what are the main differences it has with FCP?
One thing that I don't like is that iMovie '08 can import and use 1920 x 1080 clips without extra rendering, but FCE4 (a clearly superior program) can't! How did this get past Apple? I know that FCP can take it (but I don't have $1200!).
I have a Canon HF10 and I don't like the fact that I am basically forced to work in 1440 x 1080 when I have a 1920 x 1080 capable camera.
Is there an easy way to record in 1920 x 1080 and then still be able to use it in FCE4? Maybe by way of iMovie '08? How much time would this add to the process (as it is already pretty deplorable, using AVCHD and all)...
Any thoughts, ideas?
Thanks all!

I don't know whether you wanted to know the general differences, but your first sentence (originally) seemed to suggest it ?
The 2 apps work the same and FCE has exactly the same effects and transitions except for the Smoothcam filter and the 3 way color corrector (FCE has a 2 way one).
FCE can only edit DV, HDV and AVCHD.
There are numerous other (minor) differences but they are unlikely to be of any importance to anyone other than a studio of top pro editors using specialised cameras and techniques.
Message was edited by: Ian

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So can anyone help me understand this...
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If you read back through some threads (not far) you will see that FCPX and Motion 5 don't work the same as FCP6 and Motion 3 - i.e. they do not round-trip.
If round-tripping is essential in your workflow stick with FCP 6 and Motion 3.
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I would assume 2010 has better support for 8GB and even 16GB DIMMs as well as for 1333MHz.
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Move 20GB of Apple Loops (installed with FCP Studio) to other drive

Main main disk is an SSD drive (so very limited space).
I recently did a check on folder sizes and found out that my full FCP installed about 20GB of Apple Loops which I am not really using (and that folder is 1/5 of my total HD!!).
Is there a way to move this folder to a different drive without creating any issues with FCP or Garage Band. Im happy to keep them installed, just not on my main SSD.
Any ideas?
Thanks

• Copy the Apple Loops folder to a different drive.
• Delete the original folder.
• In the new location, create an Alias of the Loops folder.
• Move the Alias back to the same location that the original folder was in.
• Remove the word "Alias" from the folder name.

Non-functioning cross-dissolves with FCP 5.1 on intel

I am having trouble with FCP 5.1 running on my macbook. My cross dissolves work when used between two clips but as a fade to black, it doesn't work, or rarely does. I have 8 hours to finish this project to be showed at a wedding reception tomorrow. I've tried trashing the prefs and it did nothing, i emptied all my render files, checked for updates and nothing makes a difference. Please help, I'm runnng out of time.
Patrick

Thanks for trying...
Very strange...and not discounting your proficiency with FCP.
When you place the dissolve end on edit, the dissolve shows up on the end of the clip? but then the clip never dissolves to black?
Yes, the dissolve will show up on the end of the clip, but it plays back as if it is not there. This happens whether it is rendered or not. If I use a cross dissolve between two clips, it plays back perfectly. 'Some' of the clips will dissolve to black but the majority play back as though the transition is not there.
Any chance you're working with a 'favorite' dissolve that may have it's begin/end parameters adjusted?
Tried that and went back and got the original transition and made sure everything was set how it should be. I thought for sure it owuld be the prefs, but no such luck.
Any chance you've got your video layers scrolled downwards and there's a clip on a lower track?
No, I have made sure there is only one track with nothing underneath.
Are any of these clips nested?
Nope.
Thanks for trying though.

Compressor 2 with FCP 5.1 workflow

I've been reading about using Compressor 2 with FCP 5.1 and have been a bit surprised by some of the following suggestions:
These are from Larry Jordan's website:
"Compressor 2 has problems with both motion estimation and 2-pass VBR. If you are using Compressor 2 make sure to select 1-pass VBR Better and set Motion Estimate to Better. Using Best settings creates very poor video.
There is a lot of talk on the Apple discussion site that 2 pass VBR gives artifacts, especially on transitions and is generally to be avoided.
To compress the file in Compressor, DON'T use "Export to Compressor" in FCP -- it doesn't work reliably. Instead, open Compressor, then drag the file into Compressor and adjust settings.
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Use VBR 1 pass instead of VBR 2 pass for best quality
Use Motion Estimate Better instead of Best
Compressor offers better quality compression than Export>Quicktime Conversion
Don't use Export>For Compressor from FCP, instead export a FCP reference file from Export>Quicktime and use that in Compressor.
What do you think?
Thanks,
Richard
ref:
http://www.larryjordan.biz/articles/ljdvdexport.html
http://www.larryjordan.biz/articles/ljbitrate.html
DUAL G5 2GHZ Mac OS X (10.4.6) 2.5 GIGS RAM

Well, different "experts" with slightly different views.
This from hanumang's response to Jerry Hofmann over in the FCP discussion forum:
FCP unrendered to Compressor 2?
hanumang, have you seen a quality difference using the compressor method?
Jerry
In my experience, yes, there is most definitely a difference in quality.
For sake of completeness, when it comes to exporting for DVDSP, this is how I'd break it down:
File > Export > Using Compressor on unrendered timelines in FCP. The best way to do things with FCP & Compressor - especially true if (as mentioned) you're working in some compressed format like DV and doing lots of filters, motion effect and compositing within FCP. In my experience, color correction comes out much cleaner on DV-sourced footage.
On a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best that Compressor outputs, this method is a 10
File > Export > Using Compressor on rendered timelines in FCP. While inferior to #1, this tends to work better on high-motion footage that needs to be encoded at a low bit rate (which I'd consider 5 Mbps or lower) than #3 because of the frame-by-frame processing. Also, transitions tend to come out better (again, at lower bit rates).
I'd rate this method a 7 out of 10
File > Export > QuickTime Movie with DVD Studio Pro Markers, then import into Compressor 2. While this rates at the bottom, in many cases it's hard to distinguish the output from #2 & #3 unless you're encoding at a 5 Mbps or lower bit rate
I'd rate this a 6 out of 10
In terms of encoding times, if #3 is my baseline, #2 takes about 2-3x as long. #1 takes about 4-5x as long as #3 for me (depending on the level of complexity).
Dual 1.42 G4, 2GB RAM, 9800 Pro, 20" Cinema; Mac OS X (10.4.6) Final Cut Studio 5.1

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I spoke with JVC yesterday and they claim that the 24p HDV codec is now supported with FCP. I am shooting a PBS piece in two weeks and wonder if it is safe to shoot in 24p HDV with the JVC HD100u. Is there a current state of the craft answer?
Dual G4 Mac OS X (10.3.7) FYI we are getting new G5 for this project

http://www.studiodaily.com/main/news/prc/6436.html ...quote from this link...
Rob Schoeben, Apple's vice president of Applications Product Marketing. "The JVC GY-HD100U works seamlessly with Final Cut Studio today and future 24p support will give independent filmmakers an even more flexible HD workflow"
The article was written April 24th...note the statement "future 24p support"
You might check David Harbsmeier's response in this thread and the following link from that thread as a possible solution.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2307338#2307338
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2307338#2307338
K

How do I use m2ts movie file format from my old pc with FCP on my mac?

I have recently moved from a PC to a iMac. I have a large number of Sony AVCHD movie files, which were imported to my PC and are in the m2ts file format on my PC. The original files on my Sony camera were deleted so these files are now all I have. Also, for each movie clip on my PC there are 3 files....a very large m2ts file along..... with two very small file....one is a .modd file and the other a .moff file.
I now want to use these m2ts files (and if needed possibly these other two smaller files) on my Mac make movies with either iMovie or Final Cut Pro. and don't know how to import them or convert them for use on my Mac. Can anyone help?
One final question. Can FCP author DVD's or is separate software required. Apple has discontinued iDVD for iMovie (which I find rediculous) and so I'm worried they don't support making DVD's with FCP.
Thanks

Although I don't use Toast I know lots of people who do and like it for a variety of purposes; for example, many people author in DVDSP and burn disks using Toast. But there are a lot of versions and they have differing features and capability. Do a search in these (or iDVD) forums you'll find plenty of info. Don't know about the other app. Again, if you ask Apple, they may come through with iDVD…they have for others.
Clipwrap quality limitations? Try the trial and test the results for yourself. As far as I know the trial is fully freatured but there is a one minute clip limitation (which doesn't apply to the paid version).
Good luck.
Russ

Experiencing 'lag' & other issues with FCP 7.0.3 on MacBook Pro...please help!

Hi all
Man, I've been having SUCH frustrations with my MBP running FCP lately - and it used to be 100% no more than 6 months ago?
Basically what happens is that the Canvas window starts lagging after a while - it sometimes looks as if the external HDD can't keep up with FCP anymore, regardless of whether I use my Mac HD as scratch drive, or my external. And I've tried it across numerous externals... I'm beginning to wonder if it's my logic board or GPU, or perhaps even my FW800 port?
Also, when I'm editing on my timeline and add new clips to the edit, this behaviour picks up. Sometimes, when I'm scrubbing or skipping through clips on the timeline, the Canvas displays funky green frames, starts laggin, or the worst: the frames between one cut and another jump around like crazy, even if I just play back at normal speed.
I've done everything I could - cleared space on my Mac HD (it's now got more than 50% free), repaired and verified disk permissions, run AppleJack, etc. etc.
Does anyone know what it could be? I'm seriously considering a fresh install of Mac OS X 10.6 and FCS2, as well as upgrading from 4Gb to 8Gb RAM, but what bothers me most is how this used to never happen, and it's not like the work I'm doing is more intense or heavier than anything I've done before.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Here's my exact specs:
Model Name:          MacBook Pro
Model Identifier:          MacBookPro5,3
Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:          2,8 GHz
Number Of Processors:          1
Total Number Of Cores:          2
L2 Cache:          6 MB
Memory:          4 GB
Bus Speed:          1,07 GHz
Boot ROM Version:          MBP53.00AC.B03
SMC Version (system):          1.48f2
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State:          Enabled

Andy
Thanks... But again, why would I have to do this now when it was never a problem before?
In any case, all the footage I'm using in this project is XDCAM EX, the only difference being that some footage is 720, while other footage is 1080, and then there's also a variation in terms of interlaced and progressive footage accross the board (it's a rock band documentary, don't ask! )... Could this have something to do with it?
I kinda doubt it, cos one of the TV shows I work on has the same codec, resolution and other settings accorss the board, and I experience the same stutter on these projects...

DVD authoring after editing project with FCP X

FCP X has extremely limited DVD authoring options within it. Can't put more than one short movie on a disc, only two menu templates to choose from, etc. So my question is what do I use to author a DVD after editing projects with FCP X? I know I need to use Compressor to set chapter points, etc., but what do I use to build the DVD menu and burn the DVD? I certainly hope I am not limited to iDVD only, which is not really a pro application, and I gather that DVD Studio Pro is no longer being sold. Amazingly, I asked this question at a One-to-One session at an Apple Store and the guy there suggested Adobe Encore ... I was totally shocked! Does anyone have an answer to all this?

Encore is very good, but you have to buy PPro to get it, you could look on eBay for a copy of DVDSP. It does look like Apple will not be offering a Pro Level DVD authoring package anymore, it's a shame as DVDSP works very well still and they could have just offered it as a standalone.

No Video with FCP HDV with QTP

I have a strange question....
I have an Intel G5 iMac (10.4.11) and I capture and edit with FCP 5.0.4 using a Sony Z1 using the HDV 1080i50 sequence (I live in Hong Kong) I edit the video and export Quicktime movie using my sequence preset HDV 1080i50.
I cannot play the exported video with QTP!!
I hear sound but there is no picture. I only have a white screen!!
I can open this video with FCP and it plays fine!!
I can then take this exported video and transfer it to my G5 dual core tower (10.4.11) and the video plays fine in QTP!
I would really like to be able to use QTP to play these videos! Both the iMac and G5 tower have the exact OSX and FCP. The only difference is one is Intel and the other is PPC! Has anyone had problems playing HDV videos on intel macs?
Any ideas or suggestion?

I've re-installed FCP Studio and the problem still persists....
any ideas?

Experimenting with FCP/ Real time rendering question

Hello, I am preparing to purchase a Mac Pro and spent some time at the local mac affiliate store playing with FCP and motion.
In fcp I took two clips and dropped them in the timeline, adding the 3d cube transition, and some filters to both clips.
I was looking at performance of real time rendering on teh base config of the MP I plan on purchasing.
I then added another clip above these two, intending on dropping the opacity to further push the RTR (real time rendering). This clip overlapped the transition of the two other clips in v1 and v2.
When attempting to play the timeline the viewer window now said "Not Rendered"
My question is:
Is there a limit to how many tracks can be run under the RTR? Why did I get this message?
My main reason of the move to a Mac Pro is to get away from constantly pre-rendering.
Thanks everyone in advance!

In fcp I took two clips and dropped them in the timeline, adding the 3d cube transition, and some filters to both clips.I was looking at performance of real time rendering on teh base config of the MP I plan on purchasing. I then added another clip above these two, intending on dropping the opacity to further push the RTR (real time rendering). This clip overlapped the transition of the two other clips in v1 and v2.
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Sounds like you know what you're doing and what you expect. A factor that has not been mentioned yet, besides RAM, prefs and drive speeds, is your video format.
Also, the new rev of FCP is taking advantage of tons of processing overhead, vastly increasing the amount of stuff you can do in real time. However, real time is largely a preview operation, regardless of the machine or system, unless you are using proprietary codecs, such as Media 100, that might be hardware-assisted. Output is almost always a rendering issue, multiple stacked or processed layers require the creation of new media.
The only way you're going to be able to decide if Macintosh and FCP are right for you is to demo thoroughly and that requires using your own footage.
bogiesan

Buying used G4s for use with FCP

How well does FCP take advantage of dual-processor capabilities? I'm debating getting a G4 dual 533 vs. a G4 1.0 GHz machine. Which would work faster? Or are they both too painfully slow to even be worth it?
Thanks for helping the new guy!

My G4/400 is now 5 years old (I upgraded the processor last year to 1.5 Ghz). It works extremely well with FCP 5.0.4 with my particular setup - certainly very very usable and not at all painfully slow. But I'm not editing Hollywood blockbusters.
The only limitation is that I can't install Motion, but I knew that before I bought FCStudio.
Don't know anything about comparable performance of old dual-processor G4's.
Reagrds
Robert
How well does FCP take advantage of dual-processor
capabilities? I'm debating getting a G4 dual 533 vs.
a G4 1.0 GHz machine. Which would work faster? Or are
they both too painfully slow to even be worth it?
Thanks for helping the new guy!

Mavericks experiences (good or bad) with FCP X

Having updated to Mavericks today, I am happy to report that my mac now behaves soooo much better under heavy load.
As it has been often discussed in this forum, low free memory used to slow down everything, and in particular FCP X.
Memory management has been significantly overhauled in Mavericks and so far it seems this is a great improvement.
In my unscientific tests, even loading some big applications when free ram was already depleted resulted in no spinning beach balls at all. I was able to continue work with no significant slow down.
I would like to hear any reports of your experience with FCP X under the new OS.

… hmm, if THIS is reasoned by Mavericks, it is marvel:
The coach of my soccer-kids asked for a 'multi pip version' of our games - all 5 perspectives simultaneously in one 1080-video…
Only the material in window 'main' was optimized; all others were NOT imported to an FCPX-Event, just the original h.264 stuff; plus a time-code as 'title'.
I knew, this would need a lot of time on my under-powered MacMini/2.24/8GBs ...
pt.I took 14h for a 35min video …………… I'm in no hurry.-
pt.II was a lil' different: a) in my first attempt, for convenience, I 'compounded' each 'track'… in pt.II I sticked/synched the parts together manually; and, in pt.I I forgot to add a plain black as background, so, theoretically, the storyline was transparent.
Aaand, pt.II now with Mavericks
=> 6h! yepp, this is a six, not 14h!
this is pure anecdotical, I changed too many parameters btw I and II to call this a 'test' …
but I'm flabbergasted!

Capture with FCP - Edit on Avid

I have been asked by a friend if I can digitise (via FCP) 6 hours of DVCam for them to edit in Avid - they have asked for me to supply it as OMFI files. Now the only reference I can find in the 'Export' option is for Audio export as OMF. Surely OMFI is a file exchange format and not a video file. Can anyone fill in the blank spaces for me please?

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Is this true Wes?
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Main Limitations of FCE4 & Differences with FCP

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